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The Law

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), you have a right to ask certain public-sector organizations in Ontario for information they hold.

Anyone can make a request for information, there are no restrictions based on age or where you live.

The information you request could include:

Print

Film

Electronic records

Plans

Drawings

Photographs

Sound recordings

DVD's

Unavailable records

Not all information is available through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Some records cannot be released under Freedom of Information laws.

Processing time

You will get a written response to confirm that your request has been received. Organizations have 30 calendar days to process FOI requests except in specific circumstances. They will notify you if a time extension is required.

Fees

Application Fee

$5.00 for each FOI request. There is no application fee for a correction request to your own personal information.

Check with the organization to see what forms of payment are available.

Processing fees

Additional fees apply to process a request.

The process fees depend on the nature of the request, including:

The type of information you requested

The format you wish to receive the information

the total cost incurred by the organization to produce or copy the information

You will receive a fee estimate if your processing fees will be more than $25. When processing fees are over $100, a deposit is required.

Appeal a request

You have the right to appeal any decision about access to records, made by organizations that are covered under Freedom of Information laws.

This includes appealing, if you request for information is denied.

You may file an appeal with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

You must:

download and complete an Appeal form (or submit a written letter)

submit the form to the Information and Privacy Commissioner Registrar within 30 calendar days of the organization giving notice of its decision